He was born on November 10, 1942, to parents J.D. Huffaker, and Clota (Caudle) Huffaker, and went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2025.
Joe Don spent his life pursuing the things that brought him joy. He was an avid trap shooter, an enthusiastic hunter, a lifelong tinkerer who loved working on hot rods, and a talented photographer with an eye for detail.
Joe Don began shooting registered trap in 1983, embarking on a competitive journey that would earn him respect across the trapshooting world. His achievements were many and hard won. In 2003, he earned the prestigious Grand Slam Award from the Amateur Trapshooting Association, marking perfect scores of 200 straight in singles, 100 straight in handicap, and 100 straight in doubles. He received the AA27AA award in 1997, was the Southwestern Zone Singles Champion in 1994, and claimed the Southwestern Grand Singles Championship in both 2000 and 2001. In 1998, he added Colorado Handicap Champion to his list of titles.
Beyond competition, Joe Don gave back to the sport and to his community. He served as President of the Texas Trapshooters Association in 1997 and contributed his time and leadership on the boards of the Northwest Texas Field & Stream Gun Club and the Wichita Falls Boys Club.
Joe Don was preceded in death by his parents J.D. Huffaker and Clota Huffaker, and sister, Vicki Jane Huffaker.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 30 years, Linda Huffaker, of Jacksonville; children, Jay Don Huffaker and wife, Angie, of Mansfield, Texas, Joe Dan Huffaker and wife, Michelle, of Avoca, Texas, Lyn Huffaker Griffioen, and husband, Mark, of Swisher, Iowa; brother, Jerry Huffaker, and wife, Kathy, of Austin, Texas; 9 grandchildren; and many other loving extended family.
Serving as pallbearers will be Terry Barr, Tyler Simmons, Dan Browder, Michael Leahy V, Cameron Trimber, and Steve Roach.
Honorary pallbearers are Blake Williams, George Hanna, Larry Daniels, Kenneth Black, Chuck Shaw, Kelly Traylor, Glen Smith, and Joel Shipley.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Maria Martinez, Robin and Mike Rowan, Oza Holman, Jamie Slovacek, Dan Browder, and Tina Hargett for her kindness and support during this time.
Rather than customary condolences, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), Christus Trinity Mother Frances Foundation (https://www.christushealth.org/connect/donate/trinity-mother-frances) or Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch (www.calfarley.org).
